Three Arrests for DWI on the Water Reported by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

On June 6, 2022, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reported that three subjects were arrested in St. Martin, St. Mary, and Calcasieu parishes for allegedly operating or driving a vessel while impaired (DWI).

Justin Lyons, 35, of Dequincy, Louisiana, was arrested for DWI on Prien Lake in Calcasieu Parish on May 28. James Barham Jr., 35, of Toomsuba, Mississippi, was arrested for DWI on the Belle River in St. Martin Parish on June 4th. Nickolas Salisbury, 22, of Jeanerette, Louisiana, was arrested for DWI on Bayou Teche in St. Mary Parish on June 5.

Agents were on patrol in Prien Lake, near Lake Charles, Louisiana, in Calcasieu Parish, when they performed a safe boating inspection on a vessel operated by Lyons. Lyons was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Parish Jail after agents detected his impairment.

On June 4, agents on patrol in Belle River made contact with Barham Jr., who was operating a vessel. Barham Jr. was arrested and booked into the Morgan City Police Department after agents detected that he was impaired.

On June 5, agents responded to a personal watercraft incident in Bayou Teche. Agents discovered Salisbury had crashed his personal watercraft and was impaired. Salisbury was arrested and booked into the St. Mary Parish Correctional Facility.

The penalties for DWI are the same as those for driving a car. Anyone arrested for DWI on the water or on the road will lose his or her driver’s license and boating privileges for the duration of the case, as ordered by the judge.

DWI carries a fine of $300 to $1,000 and up to six months in jail.

Agents involved in the cases include Sgt. Michael Hebert, Corporal Derek Logan, Sgt. Gerald Sander, and Senior Agent Jeremy Foret.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.